05-25-16 - UCF vs. Cincinnati - Images by UCF Knights CLEARWATER, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - After the Knights tied the game at six in the 10th inning, junior Brooks Morgan connected on a solo homer to left field that lifted UCF to a 7-6 victory over Cincinnati on Wednesday in The American Championship at Bright House Field. The Knights scored all seven runs in the final four frames and tied the contest following the seventh and ninth inning.
"Obviously, it was a big swing by Brooksy," head coach Terry Rooney said. "Brooksy is the epitome of a team guy and does great things for our team and program every day. He continues to work hard, keep a positive attitude and is a leader on our team."
A leadoff triple by junior outfielder Josh Moser, who entered as a pinch runner in the ninth inning, started the Knights off in the 10th frame. He crossed the plate on a sac fly from junior catcher Logan Heiser to tie the game.
Facing an 0-1 count, Morgan, a defensive substitution at first base, delivered the game-winning homer as the Knights' dugout erupted and the squad mobbed him after crossing home plate.
"As soon as I hit that pitch, it felt really good. I definitely felt the power of my teammates right behind me," Morgan added before being soaked with the water cooler by Robby Howell, Sam Tolleson, Thaddeus Ward and Bryce Tucker.
The Gainesville, Fla., native is one of the players that is always encouraging his teammates in the dugout (aka the Director of Player Morale) and was seen earlier in the game with rally-cup glasses connected to his batting helmet.
"We call ourselves the all energy squad and our job is to keep the energy going the whole game," Morgan said. "We love bringing energy and talking up the dugout. We cheer the whole game and play every pitch."
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Following the Bearcats taking a 5-4 lead in the eighth inning, junior first baseman Austin Griffin led off the ninth frame with a double to right center. An one-out RBI single by junior outfielder Luke Hamblin knotted the game.
UCF (26-32) began its comeback with a four-run seventh inning that tied the score, 4-4. Three-straight singles by senior Sam Tolleson, Griffin and freshman Matthew Mika began that frame to load the bases. A base knock by Hamblin drove in the first run before an error on the same play pushed across two more. Junior shortstop Brennan Bozeman delivered the RBI that knotted the contest with a double down the right field line.
"That was a great win and this team the entire year has competed like crazy," Rooney added. "We have been on the other side of so many one- or two-run games and these guys were rewarded tonight for playing the game the right way. I couldn't be more proud of them."
Multi-hit games were registered by junior Matt Diorio, Griffin, Mika and Hamblin, while Hamblin also drove in two runs.
Junior lefty Harrison Hukari earned the victory with three innings of relief, allowing one earned run and striking out three. Starter Juan Pimentel pitched into the fifth frame before sophomores Chris Williams and Andrew Deramo made appearances.
Cincinnati (26-30-1) was paced by Treg Haberkorn with three hits. Two runs each were driven in by R.J. Thompson and Woody Wallace.
Next Up
- UCF faces the loser of the contest between No. 1 Tulane and No. 5 Houston on Friday at 11 a.m.
Recap by Nate Blythe. Video by Nate Bythe with highlights courtesy of The American. Photos by Ben Solomon.